Label-affixing device.



No. 707,780. Patented Aug. 26, I902. G. E. HOWARD. LABEL AFFIXIN'G DEVICE. (Application filed; an, 1902;

(No Model.)

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lUNllTED dramas ATENT OFFIC GEORGE E. HOWARD, OF \VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

LABEL AFFIXlNG DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 707,780, dated August 26, 1902.

Application filed March 31,1902. Serial No. 100,766. (No model.)

To (0Z7 whom, it inccy concern:

Beit known that I, GEORGEE. HOWARD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful ImprovementinLabel-AffixingDevices,ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in label-affixing devices.

In another application filed herewith a screw-feed arrangement is disclosed for applying pressure to the labels, but the feed is not automatic, and to replenish the label-receptacle more or less time is consumed in reversing the feed-screw to get it and the follower out of the way for the reception of another package of labels. Also in the construction referred to the follower, being connected with the feed-screw at one point only, has a tendency to twist in the receptacle with the turning of the screw, thus causing more or less friction, which may at times be objectionable. Furthermore, the feed is positive and being under the control of the operator it requires more or less skill to manipulate it, and at best the pressure created by it between the followerand the lips of the receptacle is rendered the same throughout the entire operation, whereas it is preferable to have a greater pressure at the outset, which gradually and uniformly diminishes with the reduced number of labels fed by it, and the only way to accomplish this is by properlyapplied spring-pressure.

My present invention therefore has for its object, first, to obviate any objections which might be raised in the foregoing particulars.

Secondly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic feed.

A third object is to provide means for quickly removing and replacing the feed mechanism, so that the time lost in replenishing the device is reduced to a minimum; and a fourth object is to provide an automatic feed which will grad ually diminish in pressure as the labels to be fed diminish in numbers, so that in other words the pressure gradually decreases in the same ratio as the weight to be moved decreases.

WVith the foregoing objects in View my present invention consists,mainly,in a receptaclein the general form of a hollow cube,

the opposite sides of which are open, one to receive a package of the labels and the other to discharge them one at a time in connection with a spring-actuated follower removably connected with the receptacle, whereby the latter may be quickly replenished.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective. Figs. 2 and 3 are sections taken at right angles to each other. Fig. 4 is a detail, and Fig. 5 is a modification.

A represents the label-receptacle. This is made of sheet metal preferably, in the general form of a hollow cube and has an open discharge end 1, with retaining-lips 2 2, projectinginwardly from opposite edges thereof, and it is open at the rear, as shown at 3, it being provided with a handle l, attached to an intermediate side, by which the device is operated. Ears 5 5 project outwardly from opposite sides of the opening 3, and these ears are provided with open slots 6 6, to be hereinafter referred to.

The nu meral7 is a follower. This is adapted to fit the transverse area of the receptacle and move up and down therein. Its outer face is preferablyrounded, as shown at 8, and faced with a thin sheet of rubber 9, it being adapted to engage the labels from the rear and hold them clamped yieldingly between its entire surface and the lips 2-2. Two rods or stems 1O 10 are secured to the rear of the follower,and they extend backwardlyparallel with each other,'forming guides, to insure a straightforward movement of the follower. These rods or stems are connected by crossbars 11 and 12 at the top and bottom, which insures their parallelism, and a removable cross-head 13 has holes 14: 14, through which these rods or stems slide, the cross-head itself being removably held in place by the hooks or open slots 6 6 in the ears 5 5. Spiral springs l5 l5 encircle these rods or stems and are confined between the cross-bar 12 at the bottom and the cross-head 13 at the top. This distance between these bars is mathematically calculated with reference to the length of thespiral springs when expanded or contracted to their utmost, so that a pack age of the labels-say two'hundred and fifty, for instance-will just be received between the followerand the lips when the coils of the spring are together without spreading or ICT:

buckling the springs, andwhen expanded to their full extent the follower will have just reached the lips. Thus it will be seen, first, as previously stated, the pressure will gradually decrease as the labels are removed, that the follower, with its operating mechanism, may be quickly removed from the receptacle, so that more labels may be supplied, and, further, the cross-head and the follower cooperate to guide the latter in a straightforward movement, so that twisting is prevented, and by the use of the two guide rods or stems the pressure is uniform at difierent points on the surface of the follower, and, still further, it will be observed that the springs act to retain the follower yieldingly in the box.

In operation the labels, which are adhesive, are applied to the moist surface to which they are to be attached by swinging the device after the manner of a hammer in. driving a nail, and the labels are removed one at a time by mere touch upon the moist surface to be labeled, and at the same time the feed or pressure is automatic and regulates itself to the amount of Work to be done.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the receptacle is open at the top and bottom and closed at the four sides, as in the other form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and the follower has a single stem 18, and from the outer end of this stem a cross-bar 17 extends laterally in opposite directions, the ends overreaching the sides of the receptacle slightly. From the ends of this cross-bar 17 compression spiral springs 19 19 extend to the lugs 16 16, projecting from opposite sides of (he receptacle. In this way the follower is normally forced inward by the springs against the labels, as in the other form described, and the elasticity of the springs is at the same time sufficient to admit of the removal of the follower without detaching the springs.

It is evident that other slight changes might be made in the form and arrangement of the several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the precise constructions herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an article of manufacture a labelaffixing device comprising a box or receptacle open at the bottom for the discharge of the labels, a handle extending out laterally from one'side, andaspring-actuated follower adapted to slide in the box or receptacle and force forward the labels contained in the box or receptacle.

2. As an article of manufacture, a labelaffixing device comprising a box or receptacle, open at the top and bottom and closed at the sides, a handle extending out laterally from one side,andaspring-actuated follower adapted to slide in the box or receptacle.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. E. HOWARD.

Witnesses:

FRANK E. NEWTON, VERNON E. Honcns. 

